Strontium

Strontium is a trace mineral that can be measured in blood or urine to assess bone metabolism and potential exposure to this element from dietary sources or environmental contamination. Elevated levels may indicate excessive supplementation or environmental exposure, while monitoring strontium can help evaluate bone health treatments or detect potential toxicity.

📋 About This Biomarker

Strontium is a naturally occurring alkaline earth metal that serves as a biomarker for bone health and environmental exposure. This mineral is chemically similar to calcium and can be incorporated into bone tissue, making it useful for assessing bone metabolism and formation. Strontium levels in the body reflect both dietary intake from natural sources like seafood, grains, and vegetables, as well as potential exposure to environmental contamination. In clinical settings, strontium measurements can help evaluate bone turnover rates and may indicate the effectiveness of certain bone-building treatments. Elevated strontium levels might suggest excessive environmental exposure or supplementation, while abnormally low levels could indicate poor bone formation or certain metabolic disorders. Strontium testing is particularly valuable in monitoring patients with osteoporosis or other bone diseases, as it provides insights into how well bone tissue is being formed and maintained. The biomarker is also used in research to understand bone health across different populations and to assess the impact of various treatments on skeletal metabolism.

🎯 Why We Test This

Testing strontium levels may be important for individuals with suspected heavy metal exposure, particularly those living near industrial sites or consuming contaminated water sources. Elevated strontium can indicate environmental contamination and may interfere with calcium metabolism, potentially affecting bone health and development. Monitoring strontium is also relevant for people taking strontium-based medications for osteoporosis, as therapeutic levels need to be distinguished from toxic exposure levels.

⚠️ What Affects It

Factors influencing strontium levels include dietary intake of strontium-rich foods (such as seafood, grains, and vegetables), geographic location and local soil strontium content, water source and quality, and calcium metabolism disorders. Bone diseases, kidney dysfunction, and certain medications (particularly those affecting bone metabolism like bisphosphonates) can also impact strontium levels. Age-related changes in bone turnover, malabsorption syndromes, and exposure to strontium-containing supplements or industrial sources may additionally affect biomarker concentrations.

📈 How to Improve

For high strontium levels, reducing exposure to strontium-containing supplements, certain medications, and contaminated water sources is essential. Increasing calcium and magnesium intake can help compete with strontium absorption, while ensuring adequate hydration supports elimination through the kidneys. For low strontium levels, incorporating strontium-rich foods like seafood, whole grains, and leafy greens, or considering strontium supplements under medical supervision may be beneficial. Regular monitoring and consultation with a healthcare provider ensure that strontium levels remain balanced, particularly for individuals with bone health concerns or those living in areas with naturally high strontium content in water supplies.